X-ray apparatus



W. MEYER.

x mw APPA RATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1918.

1 ,384, 1 43. Patented July 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. MEYER.

LEM APPARATUS, 1,384,143. APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1911s. Patented July 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

X-RAY APPARATUS.

Application filed May 29,

V T 0 all to ham it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MEYER, a citizen of the United States,residingat Chicago, in the county of. Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in X-Ray Apparatus, of whichthe following is a full, clear, concise, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved transmission tower or stand for transmitting and controlling the fiow of electrical energy to the X-ray tube on an lX-ray table or the like.

Horetofore, considerable difficulty has been experienced inmaking the electrical connections between the X-ray tubes and the transformer cabinet or other sourceof hightension' current. The practice is to string over-' head transmission wires in the laboratory, which wires are connected to the transformer and from. which leads are dropped to the X-ray tube or tubes. degree of movement of the tubes about the laboratory but it will be apparent that this movement will be very confined as the tube terminals must be almost directly under the overhead transmission wires to retain the necessary spacing between the drop leads extending therefrom. The stringing of cables in the laboratory is expensive and leaves the laboratory in an unsightly condition." In addition to the inconvenience of making connection with the tubes and the limitations as to the location of the table imposed by the aerial, a certain leakage loss of electrical energy in the nature of cerona and electro-magnetio waves is experienced in large installations where the aerial is strung fora considerable distance to make connection with a number of tables.

My invention is primarily concerned with the' provision of an improved transmission tower or stand for overcoming the aforesaid difiiculties. This transmission stand obviates the nccessity'of the'permanent overhead cable and permits extensive movement of the Kinny table in a degreenot attainable with the prior type of transmission. This tower is particularly useful in connection with a combined table and tube stand as shown in my copending application, Serial Number 237,379. filed ay 31, 1918. The stand preferably includes a transmission s =itch where- Speeification of Letters Patent.

This affords a limited Patented July 12, 1921. 1918. Serial No. 237,213.

by either of the X-ray tubes with which the comb ned stand'and table is equipped may be quickly connected to the transformer cabinet or both may be disconnected therefrom, without rearranging the connections or interrupting the operation of the transformer.

It will be apparent from the following description that my invention is also capable of use with different types of apparatus other than X-ray tables. To acquaint those skilled in the art how to practice my invention I have illustrated one preferred embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an l-ray table, the improved transmission stand and a transformer cabinet in position for operation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the transmission stand taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3;

1 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the transmission stand taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the cross bar mounted on the X-ray table for supporting the drop leads extending to the radio-graphic tube.

Referring to F 1g; 1, the X-ray table designated 1 is generally similar to that disclosed in myPatent No. 1,371,507, granted March 15, 1921, and a brief description thereof will serve to illustrate the connections and other features required of the transmission stand by a conventional electro-therapeutic table. This table comprises the two parallel frames 3 between which is adjustably pivoted the table top 1- for supporting the patient. The table top may be inclined to any preferred angle and locked there by a suitable quadrant lock to place the patient at the proper angle for making the exposure. A

On the under side of this table top are arranged guide rails for guiding the tube supporting carriage 5. This carriage supports a lead glass shield in which is inclosed the fluoroscopic. X-ray tube 6. The tube carriage 5 has extensive movement along its proper positionfor making the examination, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The electrodes of the tube 6 have con nection with the insulated conductors 9-9 which extend out through brackets 11 depending from the carriage 5, and have eye lets in their ends adapted for connection with the leads 12l extending from the transmission stand 2. The conductors 9 form the terminals of the tube 6 and move with the tube carriages and the table top through all their ranges oi adjustment. It will be apparent that with prior ar'angements, difficulty has been had in dropping leads from an overhead aerial and making such connection with these conductors that there would be no possibility of grounding through the metallic frame of the table when the tube or table top was adjusted.

The radiographic X-ray tube 14:, inclosed in the usual lead glass shield, is adjustably supported in a frame 15 which may be adjusted vertically and angularly about the tubular supporting standard 16. The stand aid 16 is secured to guide members 1"? arranged to roll along the guide rails 18 of the table stand, whereby the tube supporting standard 1.6 may be shifted along the length of the ll-ray table. The rays emanating from the radiographic tube 14-. penetrate through the patients body and produce a shadowgraph thereof by acting upon a sensitized plate contained in a plate tray supported in guides in the table top at. After exposure of theplates therein, this tray is withdrawn from the head end of the table top, which corresponds to the elevated end in Fig. l. The extending arms l i of the tube 14: have been formerly connected to drop leads extending down from spring reels attached to the overhead aerial. These leads must be retained at a sufiicient spacii'ig to prevent leakage or discharge there between and this requires that the table be disposed. substantially under the aerial. in the present invention these drop leads 21 21 unwind trom' spring reels 2222, depending from the cross arm 23. This cross arm is secured in the forked end of an oblique bar 24 of "l" section, which is bolted or otherwise secured to the cap 25, closing 01? the top of the tubular standard 16. The cross arm 23 is, of course, of wood or some suitable insulation.

I shall now proceed to describe the construction and operation of the transmission stand.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and. 3 it will be noted that the stand comprises a pair of upright standards 27 rising from a base formed by the two side frames 28. The standards 27 and frames 28 are preferably constructed of wood. The side frames 28 are braced by a cross member 29 extending across the tops of the frames and by the two lower cross members 31 and 32. A fourth cross bar 33 extends across between the standards 27, inside the side frames 28, and supports the two reels Zia-34E from which unwind the leads l212 which connect with the terminals of the fluoroscopic tube 6. Each reel 34 is mounted upon; the shank of a binding post 35, which projects from the back of the cross member 33 and has its shank passing through this member and engaging with the bracket in which the spring reel 34 is pivoted. A Wire 36 is attached to each binding post 35 and passes up through each standard 27, which are made hollow for this purpose, and has electrical connection with switching mechanism located. at the upper ends of the standards.

This switch mechanism comprises a rotatable bar 88 extending transversely between the standards and pivoted at its ends by small screws or studs 39 passing through the horizontal extensions ll. A pair of rods .42, having the contact heads 42, extend through the bar 38 adjacent its ends and attach to short sections of chain 43 on the rover side of the bar. The bar 38 and rods 42 form the movable switch element which is rotated by pulling down on either side of the looped cord id. The ends of this looped cord are attached to eyes formed in the ends ot a wire rod 4:5 which is passed through a hole in the center of the bar 38 and is bent diagonally at each end to form the operating arms of the switch.

he horizontal extensions eel are joined at their ends by a cross member d6 and thus term a frame for supporting the upper switch clips 47.

cross member lS extending between the standards 21' supports a second pair. of switch clips These clips are preferably composed of springy sheet metal and have their ends turned up to "term humps to pre- (out the contact heads e2 01 the movable switch element from passing over the clips. The lower switch clips are mounted upon the upper edge of the cross member l8 by binding posts 51 which have shanks extending up through the cross member for attachment to the clips. The binding posts 51 have connection with the conductors 36 which lead out or": the hollow standards 27 adjacent the cross member e8.

These several reels consist of a small spool or bobbin pivoted on a bracket memher under the tension of an internally coiled spring which tends to rewind the flexible stranded wire forming the extensible lead. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the brackets preferably carry a guiding arm having a laterally bent end which is apertured for plate tray through the standards.

the passage otthe lead. On releasing the leads the hooks at the ends thereof are stopped by the guiding arms which thereby prevent the complete unwinding of the tension spring coiled in the reel. The reels 3d and 52 on the transmission stand may be substituted by any other type of connector terminal ii" desired, and I intend that the appended claims be so construed.

he high potential current is conducted to the switch arms 42 from the generator cabinet 56 through the leads 57 which hook into the end links of the chains 43. These chains may be omitted if desired, as by hooking the leads .437 into eyes or the like formed in the ends of the switch rods 42.

The leads 57 unwind from s rin reels 58 any desired location in the laboratory and the transmission stand is placed adjacent the head end of the table, as illustrated in Fig. .1. The leads 57 are then strung from the generator cabinet and are connected to the chains 13. The leads are strung from the terminals on the transmission stand to the fluoroscopic tube and to the radiographic tube, as previously described. By the operation of? the transmission switch either tube may be brought into action as desired. The adjustmentv ot' the 'radiographic tube, either by shifting of the supporting standard or rotation of the tube about the standard, is accommodated by the extensible action of the leads which arealways retained taut under the tension of and the adjusting of the fluoroscopicftube relative thereto are likewise accommodated by the extensible leads 1 and it will be noted that thereels 84 are situated relatively low on the transmission stand so that there will be no possibility oi the leads 12 grounding with the frame of the table top when the latter is ina-horiaontal position. The standards 27 are spaced sutficiently far apart to permit withdrawal and insertion of the The transmission stand may be provided with suitable fastenings 60 adapted to engage with the X-ray table whereby the two form a unit. I also contemplate embodying the transmission stand as a unitary part of the X-ray table stand.

My invention has a large measure of utility even in laboratories where the aerial typeoii transmission is employed. In such a situation leads maybe dropped from the aerial and connected to the chains d3 where by, through operation of the transmission switch, either tube may be connected as desired without the necessity of rearranging connections and without the difficulty hitherto experienced of leading connections beneath the table top to the fluoroscopic tube.

Though I have described my invention with particular reterence to the details of construction. tnerein, I do not intend to be limited to these details,but intend that the appended claims be construed as including all equivalent constructions and modifica tions apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim: p

1. In a transmission stand, an upwardly extending supporting member, a set of con ne ctor terminals adjacent the upper end of said supporting member, a second set of connector terminals adjacent'the lower end of said supporting member, a switch on said supporting member, switch contacts connected to said first terminal, said contacts corresponding to one position of said switch. a second set of switch contacts connected to said second terminal, said latter contacts corresponding to a second position of said switch, and conducting means leading from said switch adapted to have connection with a transformer cabinet or the like.

2. In a transmission stand, a pair of upright standards, a frame structure for supporting said standards, a pair of connector terminals adjacent the tops of said stand a-rds, a second pair of connector terminals adjacent the bottom of said standard, and a double throw switch mounted on said standards, the movable element of said switch adapted to have connection with a source of current, the contacts of said switch having connection with said terminals whereby either pair of terminals may be connected to said source of current.

3. In combination, an X-ray table, two X- ray tubes mounted one above and one below the table top, a generator cabinet, and transmission apparatus for connecting either one of said tubes to said generator cabinet, said transmission apparatus comprising an upwardly extending supporting member, connector terminals adjacent the upper end of said supporting member, leads extending from said terminals to one of said tubes, a second set of connector terminals adjacent the bottom of said supporting member, leads &

extending from said latter terminals to the other of said tubes, and. switching means for connecting either set of terminals to said generator cabinet.

4. In combination, an Xray table, a standard adjacent said table, an X-ray tube mounted on said standard, a cross member extending laterally from said standard, connector terminals on said cross member, leads extending from said terminals to said X- ray tube, a transmission stand adjacent said table, said transmission stand comprising an upright frame, a set of connector terminals adjacent the top of said trame, leads eX- tending from said connector terminals to the connector terminals on said cross member, a second set of connector terminals adjacent the bottom of said frame, leads extending from said second set of terminals to a second Xray tube beneath said X-ray table, two sets of switch clips mounted adjacent the top of said frame and connected to said two sets of connector terminals, a movable switch element operable to contact with either set of? said switch clips, and a source of high tension current connected to said switch element.

5. In combination, a table and stand comprising a base member, a tube stand mounted on said. base member, said tube stand having a motion of translation with respect to said base, a tube support having adjustment with respect to the stand, a supporti ng bracket secured on the top of the stand, said supporting bracket having terminals for a tube, a tower at the end of the base, a conductor between the top of the tower and the bracket, and a takeup device for said conductor.

6. In combination, a table and stand comprising an elongated base member, a table tophaving a fluoroscopic tube, said top being pivoted on said base, terminals for the tube extending adjacent the end of the table top, a tower at the end of the base member, a source of current connected to the top of the tower and conductors leading from the top of the tower to the tube beneath said table top. H

7. In combination, a combined stand and. table comprising a base, a table top pivotally secured to said base, a stand or column mounted on said base and capable of motion of translation on said base, an X-ray tube carried by said column, an X-ray tube beneath the table top, said illlllG,l.fLVlll?j terminals adjacent the head of the table top, a transmission tower adjacent the head or". the table top, a conductor at the top of the tower, said conductor being adapted to be connected to a source of current, a switch connected to said conductor said switch having a movable and two stationary members, a conductor connected to one of said stationary members,

said conductor leading to the base of the tower and being connected to the terminals oi? the X-ray tube on the table top, said latter conductor baring a take-up device, a bracket on the stand, said bracket having connectors thereupon and ronductors with take-up connections connecting said connectors with the Iii-ray tube carried by said column and with the second stationar onta t of said switch,

8. in combination, an X-ray stand and table comprising a base member,

table top mounted on the base member, a column slidable along said base member, an X-ray tube adjustably mounted on said column, a bracket on the top of the column, terminals on said bracket and takeup conductors onnected between the X-ray tube and said ter-- minals.

9. in combination, an I i-ra stand and table omprising a lmse member, a table top pivoted to said base member a col: lidable along said base men'iber, said having means tor supporting an X-ray tube, said means being adjustable th respect to said column, supportingbracket secured to the upper end of the column, stationary connecting members mounted on said bracket. take-up conductors connected to said stationary member, said conductors beof the base and take-up conductors extending between the tower and the connecting members on the bracket.

l0. in combination, a combined stand and table comprising a base member, having a table top pivoted thereto, a guiding rail lying at right angles to the pivot of the table top and extending horizontally, a vertical column slidable on said rail, a transmission tower at one end of the base, said tower having vertically extending post, bracket secured to the top of the column, an arm lying substantially at right angles to the plane or 'fflOVGfilOll't of said column, a ross arm on said tower, stationary contacts on said. tower and station. contactson said arm of the bracket, spring take-up conductors between said contarts of the tower and of the bracket, a source of current and means for connecting said source oi? current to said conductors.

11. in combination, a combined stand and table COHlPllSlTlQ a base member having a longitudinal rail, a table top having a pivot on, said base transverse to said rail, a vertical column guided on said rail, tube support mounted on said column and adjustable with having a movable member adapted to con tact with said stationary contact, a flexible take-up conductor secured to the lower end of said first conductor, said take-up conductor being mounted a substantial distance above the bottom of the post.

13. In combination, a prismatic base having a pair of posts extending from one side edge thereof, said posts being made of insulating material, a conductor embedded in each post, a switch at the upper ends or" the posts, flexible take-up conductors at the lower ends of the posts, a laterally extending bracket at the tops of the said posts and flexible take-up conductors adapted to be connected to said switch and being mounted on said bracket. Y

14;.111 combination, a hollow base comprising a frame-work substantially prismatic in outline, a pair of take-up reels mounted wi hin said base, said base having frame members comprising posts extending vertically above the base, said posts being made of insulating material, conductors embedded in said posts, said conductors being connected to the take-up reels, stationary contacts adapted to be connected to a suitable source of current at the upper end of said post, and a switch mounted on said posts for connecting said stationary contacts with the conductors embedded in said post, said switch being mounted high enough on the post to be out of danger of contact with the operator, and insulated means extending down within reach of the operator for operating the switch.

15. The improvements herein described, comprising a self-supporting tower, a pair of connector terminals at the top of the tower, a second pair of connector terminals at the lower part'of the tower and a pair of conductors leading to the top of the tower, and switching means at the top of the tower for connecting said conductors either to said first pair or to said second pair of terminals.

16. The improvements herein described comprising an X-ray stand, a self-supporting tower adapted to be positioned adjacent to the end of the stand, a set of conductor terminals adjacent to the top of said tower, adapted for connection with an X- ray tube, a second set of conductor terminals adjacent to the bottom of said tower adapted for connection with another X-ray tube, a switch adjacent the top of said tower, said switch comprising a first set of switch contacts connected to said first set of terminals,

a second set of switch contacts connected. to

said second set of terminals, and movable switch blades adapted to have connection with a high potential circuit to alternately connect said high potential circuit to said two sets of terminals.

1?. The improvements herein described, comprising an X-ray stand, a separable and self-supporting tower member, means for attaching said tower member to one end oi? the Xray stand, a set oi connector terminals adjacent to the upper end or said tower member for connection with an X-ray tube on the upper part of the stand, a second set of connector terminals adjacent to the lower end of said tower member for connec ive to an X-ray tube onthe lower part of the stand, high tension conductors leading to said tower, and a swinging switch member at the top of the tower adapted to connect either of said sets of terminals to said conductors.

18. In a mechanism of: the kind described, an X-ray treatment table having a table top adapted to be lifted at one end from a horizontal position, in combination with a tower adapted to be arranged adjacent to said end of the table top, a switch contact at the top of the tower, a switch pivoted to the top of the tower, and having a movable member adapted to connect with said contact, a flexible takeup conductor secured to the lower aart of the tower below the lowest position of said table top and adapted to be connected to an X-ray tube carried on the lower side of the table top, and a conductor on the tower connecting said flexible take-up with said switch contact, said switch being mounted high enough on the tower at to be out of danger of contact ith the operator at all times and insulated means QX- tending down "from the swi ch within easy reach of the operator for operating said switch.

19. In combination, an independently supported tower having a pair of posts extending up from one side of the base thereoi, said posts being made 01 insulation material, a conductor embedded in each post, a bracket on the top of the tower SXilGllting over the base portion of the tower, flexible take-11 conductors at the lower ends ofthe posts, flexible take-up conductors at the tops of the posts and mounted on said bracket, a switch at the upper ends of the posts, said conductors electrically connecting switch parts at the top oi posts to said flexible take-up conductors at the bottom of the tower.

20. In mechanism of the character described, an independently supported tower having a hollow prismatic base, a pair of take-up reels mounted on said base, said base having frame members comprising posts made of insulation material extending vertically from one side of the base, conductors embedded in the posts and connected at their lower ends to said take-up reels, stationary contacts at the tops of the posts adapted to be connected to a suitable source of current, a switch at the top of the post for connecting said stationary contacts with the upper ends of said conductors and means dependent from said switch for operating same.

21. In combination, a frame, a table top carried by said frame, a tube-stand comprising an upright column adjustable along the frame independently of said table top, a carriage adjustable along the column, a tube supporting arm extending laterally from the carriage and above the table top, a tube adjustable along said arm, said tube having a terminal, a relatively stationary bracket extending from the column above the arm, a terminal mounted in insulated relation on said bracket, and an extensible conductor connecting the two terminals.

22. In combination, a frame, a pivoted able-top, a relativelystationary supporting member at one end of the frame, a terminal on said supporting member adapted to be connected to a source of current for an X-ray tube, a tube-stand adjustable along the frame, to and away from the relatively stationary supporting member, a bracket extending from the tube-stand above the table-top so as to permit pivotal adjustment thereof without the danger of accidental electrical contact, a terminal mounted in insulated relation on said bracket, and an extensible conductor connecting the two terminals.

23. In combination, a frame, a table top carried by said frame, a relatively statimiary supporting member at one end o the frame, a terminal on said supporting ihember adapted to be connected to the source of current for an X-ray tube, a tube-stand adjustable along the frame, to and away from said relatively stationary supporting member, a bracket extending from the tubestand above the table top, aterminal member mounted in insulated relation on said bracket, an extensible conductor connecting the two terminals, a carriage adjustable along the tube-stand, a tube-supporting arm extending laterally from the carriage and above the table top, a tube adjustable along said arm, said tube having a terminal, a terminal mounted in insulated relation on the bracket extending from the tube-stand, and an extensible conductor connecting said two terminals.

24;. In combination, a tower comprising a pair of posts, a frame connecting the po ts at their lower ends and supporting the same in upright position, a cross bar below the upper ends of the posts and secured to said posts, a switch contact on said cross bar, a transverse rocking switch shaft pivoted near the tops of the posts, a second cross bar spaced from the first cross bar and supported from the tops of the posts, a contact on said second cross bar, and a switch blade on said switch shaft adapted to cooperate with said contacts.

25. In combination, base member, a relatively stationary supporting member at one end of the base comprising a vertical tower, a horizontal member mounted at the upper end of the tower, a plurality of terminals on said horizontal member, saio terminals being adapted to be connected to a source of current, a tube stand guided to and away from the supporting member along the base member, said tube stand havin a horizontal member at the upper end of the same and having a plurality of terminals on said horizontal member, said latter terminals being adapted to be connected to an X-ray tube, and conductors between said terminals, said conductors comprising yielding means for keeping the same taut.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of May, A. D. 1918,

WVILLIAM MEYER. 

